This piece of minimalist sculpture is called Tilted Arc, a 120 foot long Cor-ten steel structure by Richard Serra that was installed in the Federal Plaza in New York in 1981. By 1989, however, it was removed after much controversy. Amongst other things, it was accused of promoting totalitarianism, vandalism and crime.

Of the work, Serra has said:

The viewer becomes aware of himself and of his movement through the plaza. As he moves, the sculpture changes. Contraction and expansion of the sculpture result from the viewer's movement. Step by step the perception not only of the sculpture but of the entire environment changes.

A beautiful work. It's a shame it's been destroyed.

Photo credits for two of these images: David Aschkenas